Somerset Gardens Trust A member of the Association of Garden Trusts!! Issue 55 Summer 2014
Featuring Yarlington House Gardens, nr Wincanton The Somerset Gardens Trust
From the Editors From the Chairman Welcome to the Winter edition of the Dear Members, Somerset Gardens Trust Magazine. This Writing as your new Chairman, I firstly shows how active the Trust has been in the want to thank James Harris for his careful last few months. Many surveys started and chairing of our Trust and Primrose, his continued: much engagement with schools wife, for her support. It is daunting to in our education programme: an interesting follow James, he is a renowned expert on and popular series of visits to private trees, but they are both to be active on gardens: and internally, a change in Council and we will be delighted to see Chairman of the Trust. The many them frequently. contributors to this edition have a lot to tell members. In more detail this edition has The Trust is fortunate to have competent some fascinating articles on Somerset committees under the chairmanship of gardening past and present. We look back Helen Senior and Sheila Rabson and I in time to historic gardens at Sutton Hosey hope to meet them over the winter months, Manor and Sexey’s Hospital. We share the pleasures of making a garden with Charles and Carolyn de Salis and Sue Peto: We go deep into the subtleties of salvias with Edward Goddard: we see Duncan Chalmers’ frustrations and break-throughs in researching historic gardens: the career opportunities for gardeners opened up by a Kew apprenticeship and the excitement of Piet Oudolf designing his first garden in Somerset. Christopher and Lindsay Bond [email protected]
and appreciate some of the work those committees undertake. Having served on the Events committee for several years I fully understand how hard David and
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Rosemary Freemantle and their team work I hope that I will be able to meet most of to give us an interesting and lively our members during the coming year and programme each year. The magazine goes be able to match names and faces. Next from strength to strength under the year will be the 25th Anniversary since editorship of Christopher and Lindsay Somerset Gardens Trust was founded and Bond and the membership list and website it is my aim to encourage the Trust to is quietly but efficiently cared for by Mary gently grow and expand, to meet the needs ter Braak. Susie Thorne keeps the minutes of Somerset Historic Gardens and to in order and Stuart Senior manages our provide pleasure and interest for its finances and attends the London meetings. members. Camilla Carter
A Challenge to All Members! Please introduce two non members to the SGT Opportunities in Events, Surveys, Education Teams and for enjoying yourself!
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THE SOMERSET CONTENTS GARDENS TRUST YARLINGTON*HOUSE*5 Charles(and(Carolyn(de(Salis(describe(how( President they(created(new(gardens Lady Elizabeth Gass WAR*MEMORIAL*GARDENS*7 Chairman Somerset’s(tribute(to(the(fallen SEXEY’S*HOSPITAL,*BRUTON*8 Camilla Carter Elizabeth(Winkley(and(Camilla(Carter(on(a( Honeywick House wonderful(legacy Honeywick Nr Castle Cary SUTTON*HOSEY*MANOR*9 Somerset BA7 7LP Roger(Bramble(on(recreating(a(historic( Tel: 01963 351106 garden [email protected] SUBTLE*SALVIAS*10 Mervyn(Wilson(visits(Edward(and(Jenny( Treasurer and Trust Secretary Goddard Stuart Senior MY*GARDEN*11 Bull Street Sue(Peto(on(an(empty(canvas(with(a(view Creech St Michael THREE*GARDENS*IN*ARLES*12 Taunton, TA3 5PW The(Editors(find(Van(Gogh 01823 442344 DURSLADE*FARM,*BRUTON*13 [email protected] Piet(Oudloft(comes(to(Somerset Minutes Secretary WHAT*HAPPENED*AT*THE*AGM*14 Susan Thorne Susan(Thorne(reports Barton House ‘SIGNIFICANCE’*IN* Kingston St Mary PLANNING*APPLICATIONS*15 Taunton, TA2 8HH Helen(Senior(looks(at(how(to(value(it 01823 451693 THE*FASCINATION*OF*SURVEY*RESEARCH*17 [email protected] Duncan(Chalmers(explains(why CAREER*OPPORTUNITIES* Membership Secretary IN*HORTICULTURE*18 Mary ter Braak Alan(Ketley(tells(Sheila(Rabson Harcombes PRIVATE*GARDEN*VISITS*19 Trendle Lane Arnos(Vale/Bristol(Botanics/Bradon(Farm/ Bicknoller, TA4 4EG Pen(Selwood 01984 656633 POEM*23 [email protected] In(memory(of(Hilly(Cansdale
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The Garden at Yarlington House large room with two bed rooms above was by Charles and Carolyn de Salis added. We have no knowledge of the gardens at Yarlington House was built by John Rogers that time. In 1912 the last male Rogers in 1782. He had bought a large estate, died leaving the House to his daughter. She which included the ruined manor house in was married and had a House of her own the centre of the village, but decided to and did not wish to move. Between the build afresh at the top of the hill where wars the house was rented out to a variety there had been no house before. George III of people including Oswald Mosley, but was said to have passed on his way to before he started his political campaigns. Weymouth, and on being told that Mr During the last war the House was used for Rogers was building a new house, said that children evacuated from the Coast. he was a very brave man. Presumably there were few trees to protect the house from People who rent houses are seldom the prevailing south-westerly wind. inclined to do much work in the garden and I do not suppose that the garden was The House is Georgian with red brick on particularly loved or particularly the smart side, the east which was the main interesting. It is unlikely that much had entrance, and the south which faces the changed when Carolyn and I came in 1961. garden. The courtyard side and the back were built of stone, some of which came from the ruined manor house. In 1912 a “I look after the shaded parts as I have a great liking for ferns and I have just erected a ruin in the Gothic taste”
There was an irregular iron fence between the lawn and the Park, a hollow full of garden debris and a rose garden beyond the kitchen garden which was not visible from the House. Shortly after our arrival some friends brought John Codrington, the garden designer, who had been a friend of my father, to lunch and we asked him to 5 The Somerset Gardens Trust
produce some suggestions for the garden. so we removed them and straightened the His charge for this was reasonable but he path, putting a pergola of crab apples kept throwing in drawings which were not where the path started to wind again. In the wanted and for which he charged rather a other direction we planted a Laburnum lot. When he had finished, we knew walk with a bronze statue of our second exactly what we did not want ! daughter at the end, sculpted by Peter The first thing that we did was to remove Robinson. As this was his first the irregular fence and build a ha-ha. There commission, he was helped by his father John. Since then we have continued to improve, or try to improve, the garden with the help of Fraser Gardner who knows rather more about plants than we do. We each have our particular areas and would not change anything in the other's part without a careful consultation. I look after the shaded was a clump of beech trees (Fagus parts as I have a sylvatica) close to the House which were great liking for ferns and I have just in a sad condition; we removed these and erected a ruin in the Gothic taste, inspired made a sunken garden which unlike the by Sanderson Miller and Horace Walpole. lawn, was level. We bought two stone Carolyn has an especial liking for the statues in Vicenza to go inside the two kitchen garden which is contemporary with beds. To balance this we made a square of the house, and is angled to attract the pleached limes (Tilia europeaea Pallida) greatest amount of Sun. with roses inside and a small pond. We both hope that whoever takes over The path down to the kitchen garden from us will continue to look after the wound through further beech trees but garden and that it will never be allowed to these were said to be in a dangerous state sink back into tangled obscurity. 6 Castle Cary
The Somerset Gardens Trust
Baltonsborough
War Memorial Castle Cary Gardens
Dunster East Huntspill
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Hugh Sexey’s Foundation The Garden at Sexey’s is on a south-facing Elizabeth Winkley and Camilla Carter slope, gently terraced towards the River review an extraordinary legacy Brue, and provides prolific flowers for the Chapel and plentiful vegetables for the use Bruton boasts many historic buildings and of residents. It is managed by an one of the most interesting and well worth enthusiastic part-time gardener called Joe. a visit is the 17th Century Almshouse on the High Street. This fine group of Grade 1 listed buildings, with a magnificent walled “The Garden must garden, is a surprise and joy. The Almshouse was founded in the mid- have hardly changed seventeenth Century by the executors of Hugh Sexey, a prosperous auditor. He left since it was a considerable fortune which in part was used to establish the Almshouse to care for established [in the twelve elderly men and women of good repute. 17th Century]” The Almshouse now consists of 25 self- contained flats for the residents who enjoy The top terrace has a lawn in the centre of the benefits of independent living but with a quadrangle, very much in the manner of 24 hour cover from staff members. A fine an Oxbridge College. This quadrangle is Chapel, open daily for worship, is the original building, housing the Chapel available to those who live in this secure and Visitor’s Room and many of the haven, in the middle of the Town, together residents’ flats. Further along this level with use of the Garden. there is a Euonymus which is much admired in the Autumn for its rich red colour. A flag pole and sunny main lawns are on the next level together with a charming stone summer-house overlooking many rows of vegetables, apple and pear trees, rhubarb, roses and cutting flowers. The Garden must have hardly changed since it was established. Many residents, who pay a monthly charge covering all expenses, have made their home in the Hospital for a considerable number of years but
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flats do become vacant from time to time. importance of the masonry in the scheme The criteria for application are that you of things requires some description: it also must be over retirement age, in good health improves the chances that the plan will and have some connection with Bruton either through family or have made a contribution to the Town or community. “The garden ... is a Anyone wishing to know more can contact the Master, Canon Paul Jenkins on 01749 compromise between 813230. an architect manqué The Future Classic Garden bowing to the dictates Series - Sutton Hosey Manor Roger Bramble meets the challenge of the existing masonry, A garden which will survive the next fifty and a talented years? A tall order, but those are my instructions. plantsman filling in the A real gardener, I suspect, imposes his ideas on the bare earth by means of gaps” knowledgeable planting. The garden at Sutton Hosey is a compromise between an survive the next five decades. After all, the architect manqué bowing to the dictates of plan has evolved gradually over at least the existing masonry, and a talented four decades. plantsman filling in the gaps. The The House is a T-shaped building of late mediaeval origins, refaced and enlarged around 1800. Symmetry plays an important role. Three sides of the House lie within a blue lias curtain wall. The South enclosure forms a forecourt, the East a potager and the West the formal Garden. The main East- West axis running along the South Façade of the House is lengthened to the East by a pergola of fruit trees and to the West by a walk under clipped Yew crowns. This walk extends
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beyond the curtain wall through a small Subtle and Scintillating Salvias paved garden to an avenue of Cypresses Mervyn Wilson enjoys his visit to Edward (Cupressaceae) and Juniper (Juniperus). and Jenny Goddard’s garden at Similarly, the North-South axis passes Bishopswood along a lily canal through pollarded Limes (Tilia) beyond the core quadrilateral to an Many will have enjoyed the range of avenue of Amalanchiers. The paddock in Salvias Edward has offered at SGT Plant which the two avenues lie is now an Sales. They are but a few of the 120 arboretum in which there thrive Catalpas, varieties growing in his garden and Pteleas, Ginkos, Paulonia, Tulip greenhouse (Edward said a friend had over (Liriodendron tulipfera), Judas (Cercis 200). siliquastrum) and Epaulette trees Edward began growing them about seven (Pterostyrax hispida), Walnuts (Juglans), years ago. His mother had liked them, but Cork Oak (Quercus suber) Ailanthus until the 1980s there were few on offer. altissima and, on an island on a large pond, Now there are hundreds - the different a particularly magnificent Weeping Willow (Salix x sepulcralis). The road-side tree belts are dominated by Horse Chestnuts (Aesculus hippocastanum) and Ilexes. In the potager the perennials include Artichokes, Raspberries, Gooseberries and Blackcurrants; the annuals various Brassica, Courgettes and Beans. There are daunting lengths of clipped hedges, some like Beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Box (Buxus) slow growing; others like Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium) and Lonicera dishearteningly fast. Urns and pots abound, many planted with herbs, others with annuals. And between them there is much mown grass. species - large like S. guaranitica and S. Now you tell me, gentle reader, will this involucata; small and shrubby S. survive for five decades? I really do not microphylla, S. gregii and S. x jamensis; know! the familiar S. fulgens and S. patens, The gardens are open for the National scarlet and blue. Smaller ones have Garden Scheme – see www.ngs.org.uk or hybridised, and come in a great variety of the yellow book for dates. colours, with a general similarity of form -
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small leaves flowering in racemes. Big I was impressed by Edward’s enthusiasm, ones tend to have spikes which slowly plantsman’s ready knowledge, sharp eye unfold. and ability to put a name to each. He is no I asked him his favourite: he pointed to novice: he had a Nursery, started by his ‘Armistad’, a dark blue with more solid father, and there latterly specialised in colour than many. I liked ‘Phyllis Fancy’, Alstroemerias. I was also impressed to see ‘Wendy’s Wish’ (red) and ‘Ember Jenny methodically going round with a Wish’ (orange). fork and secateurs cleaning up and neatening. The scented leaves: so wholesome, pungent and varied (the name ‘salvia’ Useful references: Google: robinssalvias.com: best book: ‘La Connaisance de Suage’ by Christian “... until the 1980s Froissart (there are others in English). there were few on My Garden offer. Now there are by Sue Peto hundreds” My husband just fell in love with the view and so we moved to Tilham Farm, Baltonsborough in the August of 2002. comes from the Latin ‘salvare’, to heal) This 15th century farmhouse had been a and are still used in some parts of the much-loved family home but now really world. needed a serious makeover. The Garden Hardiness: with last year’s mild winter was just like a corner of a field with a well- many had survived. Some, such as S. cared for vegetable patch to one side. It microphylla jamensis ‘Hot Lips’, will stayed like this for 2 years while we anyway: others form tuberous roots with concentrated on the House, so it was not new growth in Spring: generally not long until 2004 that we turned our attention to lived, but cuttings strike at almost any time this clean canvas. of year (best in the summer). I had no overall plan. It has been organic – When I visited the garden in September, a new bed here, a new path there - but I did very many were in flower; they provide a know that I wanted to create a series of late summer show until the frost comes. ‘rooms’ and views so that a walk round the Their garden is on a north-east slope, the Garden would become a visual journey. soil is broken clay and greensand. Salvias We started by trying to put some order into flourish in most soils, but last best where the vegetable garden so that it would drainage is good and in an open, sunny become not only productive but also aspect. visually pleasing.
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Our first major project was to build a Three Gardens in Arles, pergola to provide us with an outdoor seating area and a ha-ha so that the Garden Southern France flowed into the field. Then in 2006 we The Editors in search of van Gogh used the blacksmith skills of Dave Speed The quintessential garden image of these is to build a rose arch down one side. seen in Van Gogh’s violently clashing colour schemes – swirling blues, yellows and reds. And yes you can find it there in the Hotel de Dieu Hospital where he was treated after he cut his ear off. He is still there today – looking out from the first floor balcony with his red hair and yellow straw hat. How much he influenced garden planting, or it influenced him, is an unresolved question. The Summer Garden in Arles has beds of blocks of clashing coloured pansies and wall flowers at the foot of a fine stone pine (Pinus pinea) surrounded by the eternal elements of a Provencal “We hold Concerts and garden – Italian cypresses (Cypressus sempervirens pyramidalis), loosely clipped Theatrical Productions box (Buxus), olives (Olea europaea) and rosemary hedges (Rosmarinus officinalis), in the Garden” plus some unexpected ones such as Siberian Palms (Trachycarpus fortunei) – However, visions and ideas alone do not which enjoy the mild winter temperatures create a garden, and we were fortunate of the Camargue which is so close. Of enough to inherit an exceptional gardener course, being Arles, Roman Pillars and when we moved in. Without Marc Smail grotesque Drama Masques emerge from none of this could have become a reality. the shrubs, and add an unusual dimension. Both my husband and I are very sociable It is this Roman legacy which is the focus and so we have created a garden with of the third garden – a Roman inspired one many seating areas, vistas and walks for at the (excellent) Musée de l’Arles .The people to enjoy. We hold Concerts and design is based upon the D shaped chariot Theatrical Productions in the Garden and racing track - on whose remains it lies. The feel very privileged to share this space clever design is to divide the sides around with others. the central grass area into twelve small
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enclosures each reflecting aspects of appropriate given the large number of Roman life seen in the Museum (which school children who used them for hide incidentally holds the best collection of and seek while they were meant to be Roman Sarcophagus outside Rome). There eating their packed lunch in the central is a particular emphasis on Roman grass area. The garden itself featured many childrens’ games – to my surprise they had of the plants seen in today’s Provencal gardens described earlier with few flowers – there was only Convolvulus cneorum. “He [Van Gogh] is still Van Gogh would have been horrified! there today – looking out Go to Arles and enjoy. from the first floor Piet Oudolf at Durslade Farm, Bruton balcony with his red hair The Editors visit an imaginative garden and yellow straw hat” Piet Oudlolf comes to Somerset! The famous Dutch garden designer impressed us with the Olympic Park and Serpentine rocking horses, a maze, pitch and toss, Gardens in Hyde Park – and now Bruton, hopscotch with Roman numerals and a courtesy of the Swiss contemporary art model of the full-size boat found in the firm, Hauser and Wirth which have built an mud of the Rhone, (painfully restored and outside and internal Gallery there. The now displayed in the Museum), most Oudlolf Field is seen as art and integral to the concept. So it was with excitement that I visited the one and half acre perennial garden that he designed with 25,000 plants at Durslade Farm. I expected to be blown away and wasn’t – but may well be when the plants have grown to maturity next summer: right now you can see its potential, and have an insight into its planning and structure. An amazing transformation from the large pile of rubble which it was six months ago. The site slopes up gently enabling you to see the whole figure of eight design easily glimpsed through low spreading Kentucky coffee trees. There is a network of paths through contoured beds which contain a 13 The Somerset Gardens Trust
huge variety of normal and unusual overwhelming them. But perhaps that is perennial plants and grasses, in blocks. nature….. When mature they should create a waving magic carpet of unusual colour combinations. The peak is in September – “When mature they although there will be colour throughout the year. There were fewer trademark [the plants] should grasses than I expected but the plants were young and I look forward to seeing their create a waving magic structural forms in winter. carpet of unusual The Garden is an extraordinary project to grow a wide variety of plants of different colour combinations” sizes. It will be quite demanding for the one gardener plus assistance to encourage A large crowd visited the garden on its the slow starters, and prevent the thugs Opening Day. The normally quiet town of Bruton has been stirred by this exciting metropolitan centre. The Garden and Gallery are well worth visiting, perhaps go to one of their garden events – see the website (www.hauserwirthsomerset.com/visit). The Annual General Meeting of the Trust Susan Thorne reports on a full meeting Forty-six members attended the AGM held on 10th September at Bradon Farm, Isle Brewers. After approving the Minutes of the last AGM, the subject of the SGT’s donation of £20,000 to the Halswell Park Trust was raised. The Chairman said that the Grant had been revoked because the Trust did not need it, as the new owner of Halswell House had purchased Mill Wood. The Chairman then gave his Annual Report; the SGT was in excellent shape, he was grateful to Council and the Committees for their support and to Mary ter Braak for her
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continuing hard work as Membership but was in need of new Members. It had Secretary. decided that there would be no Plant Sale The Chairman confirmed his decision to next year. The Education Group had done retire. There was only one nomination for some important work this year with Chairman – Mrs. Camilla Carter. The Schools. The Survey Group had started a Chairman declared she was duly elected number of new historic garden surveys. and said he was sure she would give new An informal Advisory Panel to the impetus to the SGT. David Freemantle Magazine had been established. The expressed the SGT’s thanks to James Treasurer, Stuart Senior, had produced a Harris for acting as Chairman through a booklet for the Accounts which thoroughly difficult period, which was warmly explained the financial position. He would applauded. Camilla Carter supported all be looking to persuade all Members to complete Gift Aid forms. It had been a “David Freemantle very successful financial year thanks to the Plant Sale and Camilla Carter and John expressed the SGT’s Townson’s Lakeland trip. The Accounts were adopted. At the Association of thanks to James Harris Garden’s Trust Meeting he had attended, a merger between the AGT and the Garden for acting as Chairman History Society had been discussed. Detailed proposals would be available through a difficult next Summer. period, which was A copy of a report commissioned by Mr. Edward Strachan, new owner of Halswell, warmly applauded” on the Rotunda was made available for that David Freemantle had said and Members to read. The Chairman thanked thanked the SGT for the honour of inviting Tom and Deborah Jones for their kind her to be the new Chairman. Rosemary hospitality. See the article later on the and David Freemantle retired from the gardens at Bradon Farm. Events Committee and stood for re- election: they were duly elected. There were no nominations for new Vice- Significance Training Day Presidents. Steven Golby from AC Moles Helen Senior describes what was appointed Independent Examiner for ‘Significance’ is in Planning, and why it the next year. matters Each of the Committee Chairmen gave Members will know that one of the their Report. The Events and Publicity important aspects of our work is to keep a Committee had had a very successful year, close eye on Planning Applications in the
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County, and to comment if we feel that physical presence and its setting. There are any new development is going to impinge four aspects of any particular heritage on an historic designed landscape. asset defined by the policy documents In order to do this in an informed and which may be considered when assessing effective way, we need to assess the its Significance – first, its research or Significance of the site – both the English evidential value – that is, what facts it Heritage Conservation Principles and the might be possible to find out from the site, National Planning Policy Framework stress the importance of Significance when looking at any heritage asset. “how does it help to tell In order to help us to understand what the national story? ... exactly Significance means, and to learn how to write a Statement of Significance, [and] the power of a Dorset Gardens Trust recently organised a Training Day at Stourhead for Gardens place to arouse an Trusts from the South-West. emotional response ” e.g. through future archaeological or other research; secondly, its narrative or historical value – how does it help to tell the national story? thirdly, we look at the power of a place to arouse an emotional response, which might fall into one of two categories – the beautiful (which gives aesthetic pleasure) or the sublime (which inspires a sense of awe), and lastly, we might look at the communal value of the asset – how it brings communities together. Examples given of these kinds of site were the Cenotaph and the Tolpuddle Chapel. With regard to the setting, the It was conducted by Dr Andrew Brown, surroundings contribute to the total English Heritage Planning and experience of the asset. Conservation Director, South East, who Having assessed the Significance of an gave a very clear and lucid exposition of a asset, which relates to its heritage values, very complex subject. we then need to consider its Importance, He explained first that the Significance of which gives the weight of those different any heritage asset derives from both its values. 16 The Somerset Gardens Trust
The puzzles and fascination of 1987, may still exist. County histories, directories and other works relating to documentary research into Barwick, including John Batten’s South historic gardens Somerset Villages (1894, rep. 1994) told by Duncan Chalmers of the Survey Group us little about the garden, but Batten Some gardens are associated with a single gardener: Harold Peto at Iford Manor and Wayford, Penelope Hobhouse at Hadspen and Tintinhull, and Marjory Fish at East Lambrook; but all gardens evolve with the work of other hands and minds. Some are well-documented and easy to research, but often their history is elusive and unclear from field surveys, and requires much detective work. Here is one such example.
revealed that there had been a medieval “This evidence park from as early as 1273/4. Fuller information was derived from published punctured a local calendars of national records and published extracts from Somerset Wills tradition that the follies which revealed a complex picture of changing ownership, absorption into were built by the wider baronial and royal estates, absentee Messiters in the 19th owners, the failure, wardship or attainder of male heirs and the marriage of female century, possibly when heirs. The National Monuments Record and Somerset Historical Environment the 1770s house was Reports, both very useful in other respects, wrongly identified Syon Abbey remodelled” as owner of Barwick Manor. The absence of family or estate papers A recent survey of Barwick Park by the renders the dating of the House and Park SGT Survey Group suffered from lack of difficult. Features such as the follies, family and estate papers, though it has grotto and lake have figured in studies by been suggested that papers of the Messiter Barbara Jones, Timothy Mowl and family, owners of Barwick from 1855 to Jonathan Holt. Jones Follies and Grottoes
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(2nd ed., 1974) noted depictions of one of professional gardener to write some the four follies at Barwick in two portraits thoughts on gardening as a career. Alan from the 1770s of the then owners, John Ketley trained at Kew, worked in the Newman and his wife. This evidence Caribbean and then taught at Cornwall’s punctured a local tradition that the follies Duchy College. were built by the Messiters in the 19th Horticulture tends to disappear from the century, possibly when the 1770s house secondary school curriculum unless was remodelled. An essay by John Horsey ‘environmental studies’ are taught. Since on the Park and a survey by Debois in September 2014, the National Curriculum 1993, also valuable sources, suggested a for Design and Technology Key Stages date of c. 1730 for the modern park 1-3 (ages 5-14) states students should landscape, but provided no corroborative work in ‘a range of industrial contexts’ evidence. and names horticulture as a study option. Documents in the Somerset Archives Chard’s Holyrood Academy has a poly- suggest this date is too early, since John tunnel and has set aside an area of playing Newman did not acquire the entire estate field to be a ‘wildlife area’ to study until 1758. After the death in 1717 of meadow species and biodiversity. Meriell Symes, the last of the Symes family who had resided at Barwick, there were rival claims to its ownership, “career opportunities involving litigation in Chancery, from her nephew, John Horner, who lived at exist virtually Barwick until 1742, and the heirs of John Symes of Montserrat, who were initially everywhere from resident in the West Indies. This suggests Moscow to Cape that the park landscaping was unlikely to date from 1730 and illustrates both the Town ... The major importance and the difficulty of historical research for garden surveys. difficulty is bringing these ... to the attention Horticulture as a Career Alan Ketley talks to Sheila Rabson, Chair of students” of the Education Group The Education Group has received many The two main problems to get horticulture grant requests from primary schools to seen as valuable, as it is an optional study, engage pupils in horticulture using are money and time. Money can be imaginative ways and sustainable projects. accessed through PTA/pupil fund-raising, We are happy to help as it is important to grants, sales of produce etc and the start the interest early. I asked a projects can eventually be self-funding or 18 The Somerset Gardens Trust
those artistically interested in plants - look at Wimbledon for example. Botanic Gardens are still going strong all over the world and since British-trained horticulturalists are still recognised as some of the best in the World, career opportunities exist virtually everywhere from Moscow to Cape Town. There are currently six fully funded travel scholarships to join AGS plant tours for young (18-35) provide savings through the school horticulturalists. catering budget! Sadly, whilst horticulture Colleges, such as Cannington or Bicton, is optional, it will be squeezed in favour of offering horticulture, are a good starting formal exam subjects. Pupils and Careers point for these careers but there are also Teachers need to see the opportunities that apprenticeships, which the Government horticulture can open. Many pupils want to currently favours. The major difficulty is be star football players but do not have the bringing these opportunities to the skill to achieve this aim. How many of attention of students. them realise that all their favourite teams employ groundsmen and they could still play a key role within the sport they love ? Arnos Vale Cemetery and Bristol This holds true for golf, cricket and rugby players. Botanical Gardens Interest in environmental issues is greater Jane Donoghue describes all. amongst the young than it used to be and The Cemetery opened in 1836, has many gives good opportunities for careers grand burials but then fell into disrepair: in involving horticulture in some form. The 2003 it featured on the BBC show National Trust owns huge tracts of land 'Restoration’ which brought it into the that need management, stewardship (i.e. limelight; it has since received a lottery Estate Management or Landscape Design grant of £4.8 million. It is now clothed in degree level courses), and practical support trees, which it was never designed to have. (eg tree surgery, fencing etc). Landscape There is a constant struggle between those Design, heavily computerised these days, who favour cutting back the vast gives the opportunity to work both at home overgrown ivy and vegetation, and those and abroad. Floristry may be a career for who see it as a nature reserve. It is well
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of times seeing a dead or decaying plant, but that is all part of the process so hands
“It is sometimes messy, my fingers itched for a pair secateurs a couple of times seeing a dead or worth a visit, there are modern tearooms decaying plant ...” and it is impressive in winter. We arrived at the Botanics, sat under large umbrellas and ate our lunch, wet but warm. off! I heard the words ‘Monocots’ and The Sun even came out later. To me a ‘Dicots’ for the first time, the former is a botanic garden is different from a show one seed leaf for example palm, orchids, garden, in that it shows the where, how and wheat - the earliest form of plant. Dicots why of plants. It is sometimes messy, my are two halves of the seed with rounded fingers itched for a pair secateurs a couple leaves such as most garden perennials and annuals. We walked through 500 million years of the evolution of plants. There is a lot to see - the Moon Gate takes you into the Chinese Herb garden used in medicines; a delightful dell to wander through the display of Local Flora and Rare Native Plants laid out in a miniature gorge; my favourite, the glass houses, where you are transported to another land in the warm humid atmosphere; and I just love the giant water lily pads and the absolutely gorgeous lotus blooms, which were 5ft tall in old money. A very good day. 20 The Somerset Gardens Trust
Bradon Farm the terrace. It all looked wonderfully By Susan Thorne healthy, despite battles with box blight in recent years. Long herbaceous borders run It was beautiful sunny weather for the along the walls which were still looking AGM held at Bradon Farm and members impressive in September. A tall hornbeam really enjoyed the stunning garden created hedge with an arch leads out to wilder by Tom and Deborah Jones. Walled on planting beyond. The whole garden is three sides, the garden is formally laid out beautifully maintained. There are many with a pleached lime walk bisecting it. charming details within the strong There is box in abundance, with a parterre structure of the garden and people found it and a knot garden, hedges bordering hard to tear themselves away. flower beds and clipped pyramids along Pen Mill Farm Gardens, Pen Selwood, Somerset By Emma Isles-Buck If you go down to the woods today you are in for a big surprise: that’s the woods in Pen Selwood - Pen Mill Farm gardens are “a place where Romans, Saxons and Vikings fought battles” the surprise. Tucked away down country lanes near to the A303 but not so as you hear the traffic, these gardens are full of early autumn colour. This is a significant “It all looked area historically, as our hosts Sarah and Peter Fitzgerald explained. The borders of wonderfully healthy, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire meet in a despite battles with box small coppice on their land: and a place where Romans, Saxons and Vikings fought blight in recent years” battles. A solid late Georgian house, always so pleasing on the eye, sits perfectly in the landscape around it. In front of it is a large
21 The Somerset Gardens Trust
pond fed by a tributary of the River Stour. a Russian Onion domed roof, overlooking The garden, which Sarah and Peter have a small cascading stream which feeds the pond. There are some unusual trees such as “a shell house, Koelreuteria, a Liriodendron tulipifera and at least two Davidia involucrata. complete with a We ended the afternoon with tea, soaking up the colour and warmth of the place Russian Onion domed before some had to face the A303 again! roof, overlooking a small cascading stream” developed over 30 years, circles two-thirds of the house. Over 50 different Salvias, mainly set in 2 semi-circular borders, comfortably co-exist with many other herbaceous plants. An aisle of Rosa ‘Blanc de Courbert’ leads your eye to a large olive jar and then onto an unusual recently built summerhouse. This is in fact a shell house, complete with
22 The Somerset Gardens Trust
In Memoriam September By Hilly Cansdale
The field lies quietly beneath me. I lie still, nosing the earth and grass. The pasture’s rough; I press my lips on it. They tingle with the green blades’ vigour and I smell its scent. Up from the body of the earth it comes, sweet smell of sun on fertile land. While grain in the silos holds summer’s gift The hedgerows round about me full of fruit hold winter’s larder for the birds. Slanting rays of light cast long tree shadows. The summer’s warmth lingers in the soil, the sweet smell of sun on fertile land.
Aisholt from the Quantock crest 23 Front Cover: Sutton Hosey Manor (courtesy of Roger Bramble)
Back Cover: Nerine bowdenii (courtesy of the Editors) www.somersetgardenstrust.org.uk